'austraLasia' #86

CHARTER FOR AUSTRALIAN SALESIAN SCHOOLS

D. Handley

GAWLER (S.A.): 17th July -- Earlier in 1998, the Administrative personal form Salesian

Schools in Australia gathered for their bi-annual conference. Among many issues discussed,

the group developed a Charter for Salesian Schools in Australia. This Charter has now been

published through the Provincial Advisory Council for schools. Schools and Colleges are

now encouraged to publish and use this Vision of Salesian practice in their organizations.

The hope of the group is that this document will present in contemporary terms the

touchstones that identify schools that have adopted the Salesian philosophy. The document is

not a treatise on the Preventive system, but rather a guide to see how the Preventive system

can be recognized in practice.

The Vision is presented in this release. It can also be sourced from

http://www.bosconet.aust.com

SALESIAN CHARTER

A VISION STATEMENT

For Australian Schools in the Salesian Tradition

Schools in the Salesian Tradition will be identified as:

Schools that welcome with genuine friendliness, concern and sense of community by:

· An attitude of welcome to all visitors

· An obvious presence in the school to all students

Schools that strive for educational excellence by:

· having inclusive policies and practices

· a holistic contemporary curriculum

· a genuine encouragement of the value of hard work

· a flexible and dynamic approach to educational organization and practice

· a staff that reflects on the Gospel and its call to mission

Schools with an active and dynamic presence of staff to encourage and support an

environment for students that:

· recognizes the uniqueness of each student as a gift of God

· is joyful, optimistic and genuinely happy

· speaks of Jesus love through the strength of the loving kindness of the staff

· seeks opportunities for celebration

Schools that recognize and express our Catholic and Salesian Tradition:

· With signs and symbols of our Faith

· In Eucharistic celebration

· Through significant Religious Education Programs